U.S. patent number 10,887,866 [Application Number 16/503,119] was granted by the patent office on 2021-01-05 for multimedia broadcast multicast communication method, apparatus, and system.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.. The grantee listed for this patent is Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.. Invention is credited to Qufang Huang, Qinghai Zeng.
United States Patent |
10,887,866 |
Huang , et al. |
January 5, 2021 |
Multimedia broadcast multicast communication method, apparatus, and
system
Abstract
A multimedia broadcast multicast communication method, an
apparatus, and a system are provided. The method includes:
receiving, by a base station, first indication information at a
first time, where the first indication information is used to
indicate that transmitting service data in a multimedia broadcast
multicast service MBSFN manner is to be suspended; and sending, by
the base station, second indication information to user equipment
UE according to the first indication information, so that the UE
suspends, at a second time according to the second indication
information, receiving the service data in the MBSFN manner. The
first time is earlier than the second time, and duration between
the first time and the second time is less than a multicast control
channel MCCH modification period. The user equipment is notified in
a more timely manner to suspend transmitting the service data in
the MBSFN manner.
Inventors: |
Huang; Qufang (Shanghai,
CN), Zeng; Qinghai (Shanghai, CN) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. |
Shenzhen |
N/A |
CN |
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Assignee: |
Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.
(Shenzhen, CN)
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Family
ID: |
1000005285936 |
Appl.
No.: |
16/503,119 |
Filed: |
July 3, 2019 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20190327713 A1 |
Oct 24, 2019 |
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Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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15594339 |
May 12, 2017 |
10362560 |
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PCT/CN2014/091014 |
Nov 13, 2014 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04W
4/06 (20130101); H04W 36/22 (20130101); H04W
72/005 (20130101); H04W 72/0406 (20130101); H04L
12/189 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
H04W
4/00 (20180101); H04W 36/22 (20090101); H04W
72/00 (20090101); H04W 4/06 (20090101); H04W
72/04 (20090101); H04L 12/18 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;370/329,330,241 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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101170466 |
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Apr 2008 |
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CN |
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101990160 |
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Mar 2011 |
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CN |
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102164347 |
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Aug 2011 |
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CN |
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103026642 |
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Apr 2013 |
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CN |
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2262290 |
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Dec 2010 |
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EP |
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2012122772 |
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Sep 2012 |
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WO |
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Other References
US. Appl. No. 15/594,339, filed May 12, 2017. cited by applicant
.
"MBMS Dynamic Scheduling," 3GPP TSG-RAN WG2 Meeting #66, San
Francisco, USA, R2-092962, pp. 1-5, 3rd Generation Partnership
Project, Valbonne, France (May 4-8, 2009). cited by applicant .
"MCH Support on NCT," 3GPP TSG-RAN WG2 Meeting #81bis, Chicago,
U.S.A, R2-131180, pp. 1-3, 3rd Generation Partnership Project,
Valbonne, France (Apr. 15-19, 2013). cited by applicant .
"Proposed Concept for eMBMS Congestion Management," 3GPP TSG RAN
WG3 Meeting #85bis, Shanghai, China, R3-142423, pp. 1-11, 3rd
Generation Partnership Project, Valbonne, France (Oct. 6-10, 2014).
cited by applicant.
|
Primary Examiner: Ho; Chuong T
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Leydig, Voit & Mayer, Ltd.
Parent Case Text
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser.
No. 15/594,339, filed on May 12, 2017, which is a continuation of
International Application No. PCT/CN2014/091014, filed on Nov. 13,
2014. All of the afore-mentioned patent applications are hereby
incorporated by reference in their entireties.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A multimedia broadcast multicast communication method
comprising: receiving, by a base station, first indication
information at a first time, wherein the first indication
information indicates that transmitting service data in a
multimedia broadcast multicast service (MBMS) manner is to be
suspended, wherein the first indication information further
indicates a second time indicating a time at which transmitting the
service data in the MBMS manner suspends, wherein the first
indication information further indicates a notification time, and
the notification time is prior to the second time and after the
first time; and sending, by the base station a medium access
control (MAC) control element (CE) to user equipment (UE) according
to the notification time, wherein the MAC CE indicates the second
time; wherein the first time is earlier than the second time.
2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first time
comprises one of the following: a first multicast channel
scheduling period (MSP); a first time point; a first transmission
time interval (TTI); and a first subframe.
3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the second time
comprises one of the following: a second multicast channel
scheduling period (MSP); a second time point; a second transmission
time interval (TTI); and a second subframe.
4. The method according to claim 1, wherein duration between the
first time and the second time is less than a multicast control
channel (MCCH) modification period.
5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the first indication
information comprises a first index and a second index; and the
second time is a multicast channel scheduling period (MSP)
indicated by the second index in the MCCH modification period
associated with the first index.
6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first indication
information is received from a multi-cell/multicast coordination
entity (MCE).
7. A multimedia broadcast multicast communication method
comprising: determining, by a multi-cell/multicast coordination
entity (MCE), to suspend transmitting service data in a multimedia
broadcast multicast service (MBMS) manner in a multimedia broadcast
multicast service single frequency network (MBSFN) area; and
sending, by the MCE, first indication information to a base station
at a first time wherein the first indication information indicates
that transmitting the service data in the MBMS manner is to be
suspended, wherein the first indication information further
indicates a second time indicating the time at which transmitting
the service data in the MBMS manner suspends, wherein the first
indication information further indicates a notification time that
the base station sends a medium access control (MAC) control
element (CE) to user equipment (UE), wherein the MAC CE indicates
the second time, wherein the notification time is prior to the
second time and after the first time; wherein the first time is
earlier than the second time.
8. The method according to claim 7, further comprising: receiving,
by the MCE, a notification message from the base station, wherein
the notification message indicates that congestion occurs in the
MBSFN area.
9. The method according to claim 7, wherein the first time
comprises one of the following: a first multicast channel
scheduling period (MSP); a first time point; a first transmission
time interval (TTI); and a first subframe.
10. The method according to claim 7, wherein the second time
comprises one of the following: a second multicast channel
scheduling period (MSP); a second time point; a second transmission
time interval (TTI); and a second subframe.
11. The method according to claim 7, wherein duration between the
first time and the second time is less than a multicast control
channel (MCCH) modification period.
12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the indication
information comprises a first index and a second index; and the
second time is a multicast channel scheduling period (MSP)
indicated by the second index in the MCCH modification period
associated with the first index.
13. A multimedia broadcast multicast communication system,
comprising a base station and a multi-cell multicast coordination
entity (MCE), wherein: the MCE is configured to determine to
suspend transmitting service data in a multimedia broadcast
multicast service (MBMS) manner in a multimedia broadcast multicast
service single frequency network (MBSFN) area; and send first
indication information to the base station at a first time; and the
base station is configured to receive the first indication
information at the first time, wherein the first indication
information indicates that transmitting the service data in the
MBMS manner is to be suspended, wherein the first indication
information further indicates a second time indicating the time at
which transmitting the service data in the MBSFN manner suspends,
wherein the first indication information further indicates a
notification time, and the notification time is prior to the second
time and after the first time; and send a medium access control
(MAC) control element (CE) to user equipment (UE) according to the
notification time, wherein the MAC CE indicates the second time;
wherein the first time is earlier than the second time.
14. The system according to claim 13, wherein the MCE is further
configured to receive a notification message from the base station,
wherein the notification message indicates that congestion occurs
in the MBSFN area.
15. The system according to claim 13, wherein the first time
comprises one of the following: a first multicast channel
scheduling period (MSP); a first time point; a first transmission
time interval (TTI); and a first subframe.
16. The system according to claim 13, wherein the second time
comprises one of the following: a second multicast channel
scheduling period (MSP); a second time point; a second transmission
time interval (TTI); and a second subframe.
17. The system according to claim 13, wherein duration between the
first time and the second time is less than a multicast control
channel (MCCH) modification period.
18. The system according to claim 17, wherein the first indication
information comprises a first index and a second index; and the
second time is a multicast channel scheduling period (MSP)
indicated by the second index in the MCCH modification period
associated with the first index.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
Embodiments of the present invention relate to the field of
communications technologies, and in particular, to a multimedia
broadcast multicast communication method, an apparatus, and a
system.
BACKGROUND
Multimedia broadcast multicast service (MBMS for short) is a
communications technology for simultaneously sending same data to
multiple user equipments (UE for short) by using multiple base
stations. The MBMS communications technology is mainly applied to a
Long Term Evolution (LTE for short) wireless communications
network. MBMS service data is transmitted by using a multimedia
broadcast multicast service single frequency network (MBSFN for
short) subframe.
Generally, data of a service is referred to as service data, data
transmitted in an MBSFN manner is referred to as MBMS service data,
and a service to which the MBMS service data belongs is referred to
as an MBMS service. When traffic of MBMS service data is larger
than traffic that the MBSFN subframe can bear, a part of the MBMS
service data is discarded.
To avoid discarding MBMS service data, a part of the service data
may be transmitted in another manner, such as in a unicast manner.
Therefore, the UE needs to be notified in advance that transmitting
the part of the service data in the MBSFN manner is to be
suspended.
The UE cannot be notified in a timely manner by using the existing
solution for notifying the UE in advance.
SUMMARY
Embodiments of the present invention provide a multimedia broadcast
multicast communication method, an apparatus, and a system, so as
to notify UE in a more timely manner that transmitting service data
in an MBSFN manner is to be suspended.
According to a first aspect, an embodiment of the present invention
provides a multimedia broadcast multicast communication method
including:
receiving, by a base station, first indication information at a
first time, where the first indication information is used to
indicate that transmitting service data in a multimedia broadcast
multicast service MBSFN manner is to be suspended; and sending, by
the base station, second indication information to user equipment
UE according to the first indication information, so that the UE
suspends, at a second time according to the second indication
information, receiving the service data in the MBSFN manner, where
the first time is earlier than the second time, and duration
between the first time and the second time is less than a multicast
control channel MCCH modification period.
With reference to the first aspect, in a first possible
implementation manner, the sending, by the base station, second
indication information to user equipment UE according to the first
indication information includes: sending, by the base station, the
second indication information to the UE according to the first
indication information by adding the second indication information
into a Medium Access Control MAC data packet sent to the UE.
The first indication information is added into the MAC data packet
without limitation of an MCCH modification period, so that a
network side can send the first indication information to user
equipment in a timely manner.
With reference to the first possible implementation manner of the
first aspect, in a second possible implementation manner, the
second indication information is carried in a MAC header MAC header
of the MAC data packet.
The existing MAC header is used to carry the first indication
information, so that the existing MAC protocol is compatible, and
an existing system is slightly modified.
With reference to the second possible implementation manner of the
first aspect, in a third possible implementation manner, the second
indication information is carried in a MAC sub-header corresponding
to the service data in the MAC header.
The MAC sub-header corresponding to the service in the existing MAC
header is used to carry the first indication information, so that
the existing MAC protocol is compatible, and an existing system is
slightly modified.
With reference to one of the first aspect or the first to the third
possible implementation manners of the first aspect, in a fourth
possible implementation manner, the first time includes: a first
multicast channel scheduling period MSP; or a first time point; or
a first transmission time interval TTI; or a first subframe.
With reference to one of the first aspect or the first to the
fourth possible implementation manners of the first aspect, in a
fifth possible implementation manner, the second time includes: a
second MSP; or a second time point; or a second TTI; or a second
subframe.
Different forms of the first time and the second time enable a
system to set a time more flexibly.
With reference to the fourth possible implementation manner of the
first aspect, in a sixth possible implementation manner, the first
indication information is further used to indicate the second
time.
The second time is added into the first indication information, so
that an eNB can dynamically obtain a time for suspending
transmitting service data in an MBSFN manner, and a system is more
flexible and can be applied to different scenarios and network
environments.
With reference to the sixth possible implementation manner of the
first aspect, in a seventh possible implementation manner, the
first indication information includes a first index and a second
index, and the second time is an MSP indicated by the second index
in the MCCH modification period corresponding to the first
index.
A particular MSP in which transmitting service data in an MBSFN
manner is to be suspended is designated by using an index, so that
the existing MBMS protocol is compatible, and a system is slightly
affected.
With reference to one of the first aspect or the first to the
seventh possible implementation manners of the first aspect, in an
eighth possible implementation manner, the first indication
information is further used to indicate a notification time, and
the notification time is earlier than the second time and later
than the first time; and the sending, by the base station, second
indication information to user equipment UE according to the first
indication information includes: sending, by the base station, the
second indication information to the UE at the notification time
according to the first indication information.
A notification time is delivered to a base station, so that base
stations in an MBSFN area can synchronously notify UE that
transmitting service data in an MBSFN manner is to be suspended,
and this is beneficial to system stability.
With reference to one of the first aspect or the first to the
eighth possible implementation manners of the first aspect, in a
ninth possible implementation manner, the second indication
information includes the second time.
The second time is added into the second indication information, so
that UE can dynamically obtain a time for suspending transmitting
service data in an MBSFN manner, and a system is more flexible and
can be applied to different scenarios and network environments.
With reference to one of the first aspect or the first to the ninth
possible implementation manners of the first aspect, in a tenth
possible implementation manner, the first indication information is
sent by a multi-cell/multicast coordination entity MCE.
The MCE notifies the base station, so that an existing network
element can be utilized to the maximum, and an existing network is
slightly affected.
According to a second aspect, an embodiment of the present
invention provides a multimedia broadcast multicast communication
method including: determining, by a multi-cell/multicast
coordination entity MCE, to suspend transmitting service data in a
multimedia broadcast multicast service MBSFN manner in a multimedia
broadcast multicast service single frequency network MBSFN area;
and sending, by the MCE, indication information to a base station
at a first time, so that the base station notifies user equipment
UE that transmitting the service data in the MBSFN manner is to be
suspended at a second time, where the first time is earlier than
the second time, and duration between the first time and the second
time is less than a multicast control channel MCCH modification
period.
With reference to the second aspect, in a first possible
implementation manner of the second aspect, before the determining,
by a multi-cell/multicast coordination entity MCE, to suspend
transmitting service data in a multimedia broadcast multicast
service MBSFN manner, the method further includes: receiving, by
the MCE, a notification message sent by the base station, where the
notification message is used to indicate that congestion occurs in
the MBSFN area.
With reference to the second aspect or the first possible
implementation manner of the second aspect, in a second possible
implementation manner, the first time includes: a first multicast
channel scheduling period MSP; or a first time point; or a first
transmission time interval TTI; or a first subframe.
With reference to the second aspect, or the first or the second
possible implementation manner of the second aspect, in a third
possible implementation manner, the second time includes: a second
MSP; or a second time point; or a second TTI; or a second
subframe.
With reference to one of the second aspect or the first to the
third possible implementation manners of the second aspect, in a
fourth possible implementation manner, the indication information
is further used to indicate the second time.
With reference to the fourth possible implementation manner of the
second aspect, in a fifth possible implementation manner, the
indication information includes a first index and a second index,
and the second time is an MSP indicated by the second index in the
MCCH modification period corresponding to the first index.
With reference to one of the second aspect or the first to the
fifth possible implementation manners of the second aspect, in a
sixth possible implementation manner, the indication information is
further used to indicate a notification time, so that the base
station notifies, at the notification time, the UE that
transmitting the service data in the MBSFN manner is to be
suspended at the second time, and the notification time is earlier
than the second time and later than the first time.
According to a third aspect, an embodiment of the present invention
provides a base station including: a receiving unit, configured to
receive first indication information at a first time, where the
first indication information is used to indicate that transmitting
service data in a multimedia broadcast multicast service MBSFN
manner is to be suspended; and a sending unit, configured to send
second indication information to user equipment UE according to the
first indication information, so that the UE suspends, at a second
time according to the second indication information, receiving the
service data in the MBSFN manner, where the first time is earlier
than the second time, and duration between the first time and the
second time is less than a multicast control channel MCCH
modification period.
With reference to the third aspect, in a first possible
implementation manner of the third aspect, the sending unit is
configured to send the second indication information to the UE
according to the first indication information by adding the second
indication information into a Medium Access Control MAC data packet
sent to the UE.
With reference to the first possible implementation manner of the
third aspect, in a second possible implementation manner, the
second indication information is carried in a MAC header MAC header
of the MAC data packet.
With reference to the second possible implementation manner of the
third aspect, in a third possible implementation manner, the second
indication information is carried in a MAC sub-header corresponding
to the service data in the MAC header.
With reference to one of the third aspect or the first to the third
possible implementation manners of the third aspect, in a fourth
possible implementation manner, the first time includes: a first
multicast channel scheduling period MSP; or a first time point; or
a first transmission time interval TTI; or a first subframe.
With reference to one of the third aspect or the first to the
fourth possible implementation manners of the third aspect, in a
fifth possible implementation manner, the second time includes: a
second MSP; or a second time point; or a second TTI; or a second
subframe.
With reference to the fourth possible implementation manner of the
third aspect, in a sixth possible implementation manner, the first
indication information is further used to indicate the second
time.
With reference to the sixth possible implementation manner of the
third aspect, in a seventh possible implementation manner, the
first indication information includes a first index and a second
index, and the second time is an MSP indicated by the second index
in the MCCH modification period corresponding to the first
index.
With reference to one of the third aspect or the first to the
seventh possible implementation manners of the third aspect, in an
eighth possible implementation manner, the first indication
information is further used to indicate a notification time, and
the notification time is earlier than the second time and later
than the first time; and the sending unit is configured to send the
second indication information to the UE at the notification time
according to the first indication information.
With reference to one of the third aspect or the first to the
eighth possible implementation manners of the third aspect, in a
ninth possible implementation manner, the second indication
information includes the second time.
With reference to one of the third aspect or the first to the ninth
possible implementation manners of the third aspect, in a tenth
possible implementation manner, the first indication information is
sent by a multi-cell/multicast coordination entity MCE.
According to a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present
invention provides a multi-cell/multicast coordination entity MCE
including: a determining unit, configured to determine to suspend
transmitting service data in a multimedia broadcast multicast
service MBSFN manner in a multimedia broadcast multicast service
single frequency network MBSFN area; and a sending unit, configured
to send indication information to a base station at a first time,
so that the base station notifies user equipment UE that
transmitting the service data in the MBSFN manner is to be
suspended at a second time, where the first time is earlier than
the second time, and duration between the first time and the second
time is less than a multicast control channel MCCH modification
period.
With reference to the fourth aspect, in a first possible
implementation manner of the fourth aspect, the MCE further
includes a receiving unit, configured to receive a notification
message sent by the base station, where the notification message is
used to indicate that congestion occurs in the MBSFN area.
With reference to the fourth aspect or the first possible
implementation manner of the fourth aspect, in a second possible
implementation manner, the first time includes: a first multicast
channel scheduling period MSP; or a first time point; or a first
transmission time interval TTI; or a first subframe.
With reference to the fourth aspect, or the first or the second
possible implementation manner of the fourth aspect, in a third
possible implementation manner, the second time includes: a second
MSP; or a second time point; or a second TTI; or a second
subframe.
With reference to one of the fourth aspect or the first to the
third possible implementation manners of the fourth aspect, in a
fourth possible implementation manner, the indication information
is further used to indicate the second time.
With reference to the fourth possible implementation manner of the
fourth aspect, in a fifth possible implementation manner, the
indication information includes a first index and a second index,
and the second time is an MSP indicated by the second index in the
MCCH modification period corresponding to the first index.
With reference to one of the fourth aspect or the first to the
fifth possible implementation manners of the fourth aspect, in a
sixth possible implementation manner, the indication information is
further used to indicate a notification time, so that the base
station notifies, at the notification time, the UE that
transmitting the service data in the MBSFN manner is to be
suspended at the second time; and the notification time is earlier
than the second time and later than the first time.
According to a fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present invention
provides a communications system including the base station
described above and the MCE described above.
With reference to the fifth aspect, in a first possible
implementation manner of the fifth aspect, the system further
includes the UE, configured to receive the second indication
information.
According to a six aspect, an embodiment of the present invention
provides user equipment including: a receiving unit, configured to
receive a MAC data packet sent by a base station; an obtaining
unit, configured to obtain first indication information from the
MAC data packet, where the first indication information is used to
indicate that transmitting service data in an MBSFN manner is to be
suspended; and an execution unit, configured to suspend receiving
the service data in the MBSFN manner according to the first
indication information.
With reference to the sixth aspect, in a first possible
implementation manner of the sixth aspect, the first indication
information may further include a second time, and the first
indication information is used to indicate that transmitting the
service data in the MBSFN manner is to be suspended at the second
time.
With reference to the first possible implementation manner of the
sixth aspect, in a second possible implementation manner, the
second time includes: a second MSP; or a second time point; or a
second TTI; or a second subframe.
With reference to the sixth aspect, or the first or the second
possible implementation manner of the sixth aspect, in a third
possible implementation manner, the execution unit is further
configured to initiate establishment of a bearer, and the bearer is
used to transmit the service data in a unicast manner.
With reference to the sixth aspect or the first to the third
possible implementation manner of the sixth aspect, in a fourth
possible implementation manner, the first indication information is
carried in a MAC header of the MAC data packet.
In the embodiments of the present invention, first indication
information is sent to a base station at a first time, so that the
base station notifies user equipment that transmitting service data
in an MBSFN manner is to be suspended at a second time. Because
duration between the first time and the second time is less than a
multicast control channel modification period, the user equipment
is notified in a more timely manner that transmitting the service
data in the MBSFN manner is to be suspended.
For ease of understanding, some related concepts of the present
invention are described as an example for reference, as shown
below:
3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP for short) is a project
committed to develop a wireless communications network. An
organization related to the 3GPP is generally referred to as a 3GPP
organization.
A wireless communications network is a network for providing a
wireless communications function. The wireless communications
network may use different communications technologies, such as Code
Division Multiple Access (CDMA for short), Time Division Multiple
Access (TDMA for short), Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA
for short), orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA
for short), and single carrier frequency division multiple access
(SC-FDMA for short). A wireless communications network defined by
the 3GPP organization is generally referred to as a 3GPP network,
and a wireless communications network defined by a non-3GPP
organization is generally referred to as a non-3GPP network. A
typical non-3GPP network includes a Worldwide Interoperability for
Microwave Access (WiMAX for short) network, a CDMA network, a
Wireless Fidelity (WiFi for short) network, and the like. The 3GPP
network may be classified into a 2G network, a 3G network, or a 4G
network according to capacities, rates, and the like of different
networks. A typical 2G network includes a GSM/GPRS (Global System
for Mobile Communications/General Packet Radio Service) network. A
typical 3G network includes a Wideband Code Division Multiple
Access (WCDMA for short) network. A typical 4G network includes an
LTE network. Application of the technical solutions provided in the
embodiments of the present invention includes but is not limited to
the LTE network, and the technical solutions may further be used in
the 2/3G network or the non-3GPP network.
User equipment (UE for short) is a terminal device, which may be a
mobile terminal device or an immobile terminal device. The device
is mainly used to receive or send service data. For example, the UE
is capable of receiving service data transmitted in an MBSFN
manner. The user equipment may be distributed in a network. In
different networks, the user equipment has different names, such as
a terminal, a mobile station, a subscriber unit, a station, a
cellular phone, a personal digital assistant, a wireless modem, a
wireless communications device, a handheld device, a lap-top
computer, a cordless telephone set, a wireless local loop station,
and the like.
A base station (BS for short) is an access network apparatus for
providing a wireless communications function. For example, in the
3GPP network, a 2G network device for providing a base station
function includes a base transceiver station (BTS for short) and a
base station controller (BSC for short), a 3G network device for
providing a base station function includes a node B (NodeB for
short) and a radio network controller (RNC for short), and a 4G
network device for providing a base station function includes an
evolved NodeB (eNB for short). One base station usually manages
multiple cells.
A multimedia broadcast multicast service single frequency network
(MBSFN for short) is a wireless communications network using a
technology for simultaneously transmitting a same waveform to a
group of cells in one physical area.
An MBSFN area (MBSFN area) is an area including a group of cells in
which transmission in an MBSFN manner may be cooperatively
implemented.
Multimedia broadcast multicast service (MBMS for short) is a
service for simultaneously sending same data to multiple user
equipments by using multiple base stations. Transmitting the
service data in the MBSFN manner refers to using the MBSFN manner
to transmit the service data, that is, multiple base stations
simultaneously send the service data to multiple user equipments.
This may be understood as a multicast transmission manner.
A multicast channel (MCH for short) is a channel used to transmit
MBMS service data.
Multicast channel scheduling information (MSI for short) is used to
indicate, to user equipment, an ending subframe in an MPS for
transmission of each MBMS service data.
Time may be understood in a broad sense. The time in the
embodiments of the present invention may include a time point, a
transmission time interval (TTI for short), a subframe, a multicast
channel scheduling period (MSP for short), and the like.
A multicast channel scheduling period is a period for scheduling an
MCH.
An MBMS control channel (MCCH for short) is a channel used to
transmit control information of an MBMS service.
An MCH modification period is a period for modifying control
information on the MCCH. For example, it may be 5.12 seconds or
10.24 seconds.
An MBSFN subframe is a subframe used to transmit an MBMS service
data.
A multi-cell/multicast coordination entity (MCE for short) is
configured to configure a parameter for sending MBMS service data
by multiple base stations in an MBSFN area, to ensure that all the
base stations in the MBSFN area use same configuration to send the
MBMS service data.
A Medium Access Control (MAC for short) data packet is a data
packet at a MAC layer. The MAC data packet includes a MAC header
and one or more MAC SDUs (service data unit), and one MAC SDU
includes one MAC sub-header.
An M2 interface is an interface between an MCE and an eNB, and is
used to transmit an M2 Application Protocol (M2AP for short)
message.
A mobility management network element (MMNE for short) is a core
network device used to perform mobility management on user
equipment. For example, in a 2/3G network, the mobility management
network element includes a serving GPRS support node (SGSN for
short). In a 4G network, the mobility management network element
includes a mobility management entity (MME for short).
A gateway is a core network device for transmitting user-plane
data.
Suspending may be understood as terminating, stopping, or
pausing.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
To describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the
present invention more clearly, the following briefly describes the
accompanying drawings required for describing the embodiments or
the prior art. Apparently, the accompanying drawings in the
following description show merely some embodiments of the present
invention, and a person of ordinary skill in the art may still
derive other drawings from these accompanying drawings without
creative efforts.
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an MBMS networking architecture
according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2-1 is a schematic structural diagram of a MAC data packet
according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2-2 is a schematic structural diagram of another MAC data
packet according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a schematic structural diagram of a MAC sub-header
corresponding to a data packet A in a MAC header according to an
embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 4 is a schematic structural diagram of an added MAC sub-header
corresponding to a data packet A in a MAC header according to an
embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 5 is a schematic structural diagram of still another MAC data
packet according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 6 is a schematic flowchart of a multimedia broadcast multicast
communication method according to an embodiment of the present
invention;
FIG. 7 is a schematic structural diagram of an eNB according to an
embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 8 is a schematic structural diagram of an MCE according to an
embodiment of the present invention; and
FIG. 9 is a schematic structural diagram of UE according to an
embodiment of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
The following clearly describes the technical solutions in the
embodiments of the present invention with reference to the
accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present invention.
Apparently, the described embodiments are merely some but not all
of the embodiments of the present invention. All other embodiments
obtained by a person of ordinary skill in the art based on the
embodiments of the present invention without creative efforts shall
fall within the protection scope of the present invention.
Network architectures and service scenarios described in the
embodiments of the present invention are used to more clearly
describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present
invention, instead of limiting the technical solutions provided in
the embodiments of the present invention. An ordinary person in the
art may know that, with evolution in the network architecture and
emergence of new service scenarios, the technical solutions
provided in the embodiments of the present invention are also
applicable to a similar technical problem.
An LTE network is used as an example in the following description.
It should be noted that, the technical solutions and technical
ideas according to the embodiments of the present invention may
also be used in a broadband network accessed in another radio
access manner.
FIG. 1 shows an example of a typical MBMS networking
architecture.
As shown in FIG. 1, the networking architecture includes:
a data source, configured to provide service data that needs to be
transmitted to UE;
a gateway, configured to transmit the service data provided by the
data source to an eNB;
an MME, configured to manage mobility of the UE, and control an eNB
and the gateway to establish a data transmission bearer for the
UE;
an MCE, configured to configure a parameter required by an eNB for
transmitting the service data in an MBSFN manner;
multiple eNBs, configured to send, in an MBSFN manner, the service
data provided by the gateway to the UE, or send the service data to
the UE in a unicast manner; and
UE, configured to receive the service data sent in an MBSFN manner,
or receive the service data sent in a unicast manner.
For ease of description, only two eNBs are shown in the figure. In
actual configuration, one MCE may connect to multiple eNBs, and the
MCE may configure the multiple eNBs, so that the multiple eNBs send
same service data at a same time, and the service data is
transmitted in an MBSFN manner.
For the UE, after the service data sent by the multiple eNBs in an
MBSFN manner arrives at the UE, the UE does not need to distinguish
between a signal sent by one eNB and a signal sent by another eNB.
Signals sent by the multiple eNBs are superposed in the UE, so as
to strengthen the signal, and reduce a packet error rate for
transmitting the service data.
A procedure of sending service data in an MBSFN manner is generally
as follows:
1. The data source may sequentially send related information, such
as a characteristic of a to-be-transmitted service, a service data
rate, a service data amount, and a destination area, to the
gateway.
2. After receiving the information sent by the data source, the
gateway allocates an IP multicast address to each eNB, and
transmits the address to the MME and the MCE.
3. The MCE allocates an air interface resource to the
to-be-transmitted service, notifies each eNB of the allocated air
interface resource, and notifies each eNB of the IP multicast
address allocated by the gateway.
4. Each eNB adds the IP multicast address allocated by the gateway
into a corresponding IP multicast group, and updates reserved
subframes (these reserved subframes are referred to as MBSFN
subframes) according to the air interface resource allocated by the
MCE. These reserved subframes are used to transmit the service
data. For example, a subframe 2, a subframe 7, and a subframe 8 in
each scheduling period serve as MBSFN subframes.
Till now, preparation work for sending the service data in the
MBSFN manner is complete.
When the service data needs to be transmitted in the MBSFN
manner:
5. The data source sends the service data to the gateway.
6. The gateway sends the service data to each eNB in an IP
multicast manner.
7. Each eNB sends the service data to the UE at the air interface
by using the MBSFN subframes.
For example, the service data is sent on the MCH.
Till now, a function of transmitting the service data in the MBSFN
manner is implemented.
To ensure that the eNBs send same data in a same subframe, a
synchronous measure needs to be taken. In a time dimension, a fixed
time length of scheduling period may be divided. The data source
encloses a timestamp with each data packet, and the eNB may map a
data packet to a corresponding scheduling period according to the
timestamp in the data packet. A data packet mapped to a scheduling
period N is to be sent in a period N+1. The scheduling period
herein may also become an MSP.
It can be learned that, a quantity of MBSFN subframes allocated to
the service data by the MCE determines a transmission rate of the
service data. A higher rate of the service data needs more MBSFN
subframes to be allocated, and a lower rate of the service data
needs fewer MBSFN subframes to be allocated. The MBSFN subframes
are used to transmit MBMS service data only, and in consideration
of resource utilization, allocating more MBSFN subframes wastes
resources when the rate of the service data becomes lower.
Therefore, a quantity of MBSFN subframes allocated to the MBMS
service data is usually not greater than a quantity of MBSFN
subframes required for an average rate. However, when the rate of
the MBMS service data becomes higher, a part of the MBMS service
data is discarded because the MBSFN subframes cannot hold more
data.
In view of that, a part of the MBMS service may be sent to the UE
in another manner, such as in a unicast manner, so that a rate of
the service data sent in the MBSFN manner matches the quantity of
the allocated MBSFN subframes. To realize this purpose, the UE
needs to be notified in advance that transmitting data of a
particular MBMS service in the MBSFN manner is to be suspended.
Because MBMS-related control information is transmitted on an MCCH,
the UE may be notified by using the MCCH. That is, indication
information is added into the MCCH, to notify the UE that
transmitting data of a particular MBMS service in the MBSFN manner
is to be stopped. However, because an MCCH modification period
limits modification of the MCCH and the MCCH cannot be modified at
any time, at least one MCCH modification period, that is, 5.12
seconds or 10.24 seconds, is required after the MCE notifies the
eNB, the eNB notifies the UE, and the UE suspends receiving the
service data in the MBSFN manner. Consequently, the UE may not be
notified in a timely manner, and may not initiate, in a timely
manner, establishment of a unicast bearer, thereby causing service
interruption.
To notify the UE in a timely manner that transmitting data of a
particular MBMS service in the MBSFN manner is to be stopped, the
UE may be notified by adding corresponding indication information
into a data packet of the service data sent on the MCH. For
example, indication information may be carried in a MAC data packet
that bears the service data. The indication information is added
into the MAC data packet, so as to avoid limitation of the MCCH
modification period, and reduce a time that lasts after the MCE
notifies the eNB and before the UE suspends receiving the service
data in the MBSFN manner.
It is assumed that data of a service A and data of a service B need
to be transmitted to the UE in an MBSFN manner, and the MCE
allocates a subframe 2 and a subframe 7 in each MSP as MBSFN
subframes.
As shown in FIG. 2-1, for example, the first MAC data packet that
is in the MSP and sent by the eNB by using the subframe 2 includes:
a MAC header, an MSI, an MCCH, and a data packet A.
The MAC header is a MAC header of the MAC data packet, and includes
three MAC sub-headers corresponding to the MSI, the MCCH, and the
data packet A that are included in the MAC data packet.
For example, in the MAC sub-header corresponding to the MSI, the
first field R and the second field R are reserved fields. The third
field E indicates whether another MAC sub-header follows. If a
value of the field is 1, it indicates that still a MAC sub-header
follows; if a value of the field is 0, it indicates that a MAC
sub-header does not follow. The fourth field "LCID of MSI"
indicates that a MAC SDU corresponding to the MAC sub-header is
MSI. The fifth field F indicates a length of a field "Length of
MSI". If a value of the field is 0, it indicates that the length of
the field "Length of MSI" is 7 bits; if a value of the field is 1,
it indicates that the length of the field "Length of MSI" is 15
bits. The sixth field "Length of MSI" indicates a length of the MSI
part.
For related content of the MAC sub-header corresponding to the MCCH
and of the MAC sub-header corresponding to the data packet A, refer
to related content of the MAC sub-header corresponding to the MSI.
Details are not described herein.
The MSI is used to indicate an ending subframe in the MSP for
transmitting the data of the service A and the data of the service
B.
For example, in a first record in the MSI, a field "LCID of A"
indicates that the record is corresponding to the data packet A,
and a field "stop" indicates an ending MBSFN subframe in the MSP
for transmitting the data packet A. For content of a second record
in the MSI, refer to content of the first record. Details are not
described herein.
The MCCH is used to indicate related control information for
transmitting the data of the service A and the data of the service
B in the MBSFN manner.
The data packet A is used to bear a part of the data of the service
A.
As shown in FIG. 2-2, for example, a MAC data packet sent by the
eNB by using the subframe 7 in the MSP includes: a MAC header, a
data packet A, and a data packet B.
The MAC header is a MAC header of the MAC data packet, and includes
MAC sub-headers corresponding to the data packet A and the data
packet B that are included in the MAC data packet. For specific
content of the MAC sub-header, refer to related content of the MAC
header in FIG. 2-1. Details are not described herein.
The data packet A is used to bear another part of the data of the
service A.
The data packet B is used to bear a part of the data of the service
B.
The FIG. 2-1 and the FIG. 2-2 show examples of schematic structural
diagrams of MAC data packets, and a MAC data packet structure is
not limited thereto. Different MAC data packet structures may exist
in different scenarios.
It is assumed that transmitting the data of the service A in the
MBSFN manner is to be suspended. The following implementation
manners may be considered to add the indication information into
the MAC data packet, to notify the UE that transmitting the data of
the service A in the MBSFN manner is to be suspended.
Manner (1): The MAC header in the MAC data packet may be modified.
The MAC sub-header corresponding to the data packet A in the MAC
header is overwritten.
Specifically, a reserved field of the MAC sub-header in the data
packet A may be overwritten. For example, the first reserved field
R is set to 1, or the second reserved field is set to 1, to
indicate to the UE that transmitting, in an MBSFN manner, the data
of the service A borne by the data packet A is to be suspended in a
next MSP or an M.sup.th MSP. M may be pre-configured in the UE, or
may be notified to the UE by the eNB. This is not limited in this
embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3, the first
reserved field of the MAC sub-header in the data packet A is set to
1.
For another example, the first reserved field R and the second
reserved field R may be combined to indicate an MSP in which
transmitting the data of the service A in the MBSFN manner is
suspended. For example, the first reserved field is set to 1, and
the second reserved field is set to 0. This indicates that
transmitting the data of the service A in the MBSFN manner is to be
suspended in the second MSP after the MSP. The first reserved field
is set to 0, and the second reserved field is set to 1. This
indicates that transmitting the data of the service A in the MBSFN
manner is to be suspended in the first MSP after the MSP. A person
skilled in the art may understand that another combination manner
may be used to indicate a quantity of MSPs, and details are not
described herein.
Optionally, it is assumed that the MSP includes 5 MAC data packets
that bear the data of the service A. The same modification may be
performed on some or all MAC data packets including the data of the
service A in the 5 MAC data packets in the MSP, to ensure that the
UE can correctly obtain the indication information.
Manner (2): The MAC header in the MAC data packet may be modified.
A new MAC sub-header corresponding to the data packet A is added to
carry the indication information, to indicate to the UE that
transmitting the data of the service A in the MBSFN manner is to be
suspended.
As shown in FIG. 4, a field "Length of A" in the added MAC
sub-header may be set to 0, and this indicates that transmitting
the data of the service A in the MBSFN manner is to be suspended in
a next MSP or an M.sup.th MSP. M may be pre-configured in the UE,
or may be notified to the UE by the eNB.
Optionally, the UE may be notified, by setting the reserved field
in manner (1), that transmitting the data of the service A in the
MBSFN manner is to be suspended, and details are not described
herein.
Optionally, the modification in Manner (2) may be performed on the
multiple MAC data packets that bear the data of the service A in
the MSP, to ensure that the UE can correctly obtain the indication
information.
Manner (3): A MAC CE (control element) may be added into the MAC
data packet, to carry the indication information, so as to indicate
to the UE that transmitting the data of the service A in the MBSFN
manner is to be suspended.
As shown in FIG. 5, the indication information may be added after
the MSI part in the MAC data packet. A specific format of the
indication information is not limited. A person skilled in the art
understands that the indication information part may be added after
the MCCH part or after the data packet A part, and this is not
limited herein. Because the indication information part is added
into the MAC data packet, a person skilled in the art understands
that a MAC sub-header corresponding to the indication information
needs to be added into the MAC header.
Because the MAC data packet is transmitted in each MBSFN subframe
in the MSP, and modification on the MAC data packet is not limited
by the MCCH modification period, compared with using the MCCH to
notify the UE that transmitting the service data in the MBSFN
manner is to be suspended, using the MAC data packet to notify the
UE is more flexible and timely. For example, when the service data
rate is to suddenly increase in a next MSP, the indication
information may be carried in a MAC data packet in a current MSP,
and transmitting the service data in the MBSFN manner may be
suspended in the next MSP. Therefore, data transmission in the
MBSFN manner is more flexible and efficient, a situation in which a
service data rate increases suddenly can be properly dealt with
without discarding data due to the sudden increase in the service
data rate, and user experience is ensured.
The foregoing describes an example of indicating, to the UE by
adding the indication information into the MAC data packet, that
transmitting the service data in the MBSFN manner is to be
suspended.
In consideration of a procedure, the MCE may deliver a notification
to the eNB, and then the eNB delivers indication information to the
UE by using a MAC data packet. For ease of understanding, the
indication information delivered by the MCE to the eNB may serve as
first indication information, the indication information delivered
by the eNB to the UE by using the MAC data packet may serve as
second indication information.
For example, FIG. 6 shows a multimedia broadcast multicast
communication method, so that indication information carried in a
MAC data packet is transmitted to UE and indicates that
transmitting service data in an MBSFN manner is to be
suspended.
As shown in FIG. 6:
101. An MCE determines to suspend transmitting data of a service A
in the MBSFN manner at an MBSFN area.
102. The MCE sends first indication information to an eNB.
The first indication information is used to indicate that
transmitting the data of the service A in the multimedia broadcast
multicast service MBSFN manner is to be suspended.
103. The eNB sends second indication information to UE according to
the first indication information.
The second indication information is used to indicate that
transmitting the data of the service A in the MBSFN manner is to be
suspended.
104. The UE interacts with a data source to establish a bearer, and
the data of the service A is transmitted in a unicast manner.
For example, the MCE may determine, according to prior
configuration or a congestion status in the MBSFN area, to suspend
transmitting the data of the service A in the MBSFN manner.
Optionally, before step 101, the MCE may receive a notification
sent by the eNB. The notification is used to indicate that
congestion occurs in the MBSFN area. That is, MBSFN subframes that
are used to transmit an MBMS service and allocated by the MCE
cannot meet a capacity requirement for transmitting the MBMS
service.
For example, the MCE may send the first indication information to
all eNBs in the MBSFN area, to ensure all eNBs that transmit the
data of the service A to perform corresponding actions according to
the first indication information.
For example, the MCE may add the first indication information into
an M2 interface message, such as an MBMS scheduling information
message.
For ease of understanding, a time for sending the first indication
information to the eNB by the MCE may be referred to as a first
time, and a time for suspending transmitting the data of the
service A in the MBSFN manner is referred to as a second time. The
first time and the second time may be understood in a broad sense,
such as a particular time point, a particular MSP, a particular
TTI, or a particular subframe.
Optionally, the first indication information may be further used to
indicate the second time, for example, carry an information element
for indicating the second time.
For example, when the second time is a particular MSP, the first
indication information may carry a first index and a second index.
The first index is used to indicate an MCCH modification period,
and the second index is used to indicate an MSP in the MCCH
modification period. Therefore, a particular MSP in a particular
MCCH modification period may be determined by using the first index
and the second index.
Optionally, the first indication information may further include a
notification time, used to indicate a time for the eNB to notify
the UE, to ensure that multiple eNBs may simultaneously deliver the
second indication information to the UE.
For example, the eNB may send the second indication information by
adding the indication information into the MAC data packet as
described above. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the indication
information is carried in a MAC sub-header corresponding to a data
packet A; as shown in FIG. 4, the indication information is carried
in an added MAC sub-header corresponding to a data packet A; as
shown in FIG. 5, the indication information is carried in an
indication information part added in a MAC data packet. Details are
not described herein again.
Optionally, the second indication information may further include
the second time.
For example, after receiving the second indication information, the
UE may suspend, at the second time according to the prior
configuration or the notification from the eNB, receiving the data
of the service A in the MBSFN manner. On one hand, in a network,
transmitting the data of the service A in the MBSFN manner may be
suspended at the second time. On the other hand, the UE may
suspend, at the second time, receiving the data of the service A in
the MBSFN manner. Therefore, transmission of the data of the
service A is synchronously processed at the network side and in the
UE, and the network side can successfully suspend transmitting the
data of the service A in the MBSFN manner. Because the second
indication information is carried in the MAC data packet, duration
between the second time and the first time may be less than one
MCCH modification period. Compared with notifying, by using the
MCCH, the UE that transmitting the data of the service A in the
MBSFN manner is to be suspended, this method is more flexible and
timely.
In addition, after learning in step 103 that transmitting the data
of the service A in the MBSFN manner is to be suspended in the
network, the UE may establish a bearer with the network, so as to
continue to receive the data of the service A in a unicast manner
after the second time, and ensure continuity of the service A.
To implement the procedure shown in FIG. 6, an existing MCE, eNB,
and UE need to be modified.
For example, as shown in FIG. 7, an eNB may include a receiving
unit and a sending unit. The receiving unit receives the first
indication information in step 102, and the sending unit sends the
second indication information in step 103. Functions of the
receiving unit and the sending unit may be implemented by a
transceiver.
In another optional implementation manner, the eNB may include a
processor and a memory. The memory is configured to store code for
implementing the functions of the receiving unit and the sending
unit. The processor may execute the code stored in the memory, to
implement the functions of the receiving unit and the sending
unit.
For example, as shown in FIG. 8, an MCE may include a determining
unit and a sending unit. The determining unit may determine to
suspend transmitting the data of the service A in the MBSFN manner
in the MBSFN area in step 101, and the sending unit sends the first
indication information to the eNB in step 102. Optionally, the MCE
may further include a receiving unit, configured to receive a
notification message that is used to indicate that congestion
occurs in the MBSFN area and is sent by the eNB. The determining
unit may be implemented by using the processor. The sending unit
may be implemented by using a communications circuit, such as a
sending circuit or a network interface card. The receiving unit may
be implemented by using a communications circuit, such as a
receiving circuit or a network interface card.
In another optional implementation manner, the MCE may include a
processor and a memory. The memory is configured to store code for
implementing functions of the determining unit, the sending unit,
and the receiving unit. The processor may execute the code stored
in the memory, to implement the functions of the determining unit,
the sending unit, and the receiving unit.
For example, as shown in FIG. 9, UE may include a receiving unit
and a sending unit. The receiving unit may receive the second
indication information in step 103, and the sending unit may send a
request for establishing the bearer. The receiving unit and the
sending unit may be implemented by a transceiver.
In another optional implementation manner, the UE may include a
processor and a memory. The memory is configured to store code for
implementing functions of the receiving unit and the sending unit.
The processor may execute the code stored in the memory, to
implement the functions of the receiving unit and the sending
unit.
By modifying the MCE, the eNB, and the UE, the procedure shown in
FIG. 6 may be implemented. That is, transmitting service data in an
MBSFN manner may be suspended within duration less than one MCCH
modification period. This promotes flexibility of data
transmission, and can successfully deal with network impact due to
sudden increase in a service data rate.
A person skilled in the art can understand that information and
signals may be expressed by using any technology techniques. For
example, data, an instruction, a command, information, a signal, a
bit, a symbol, and a chip may be expressed by a voltage, a current,
an electromagnetic wave, a magnetic field or a magnetic particle,
an optical field or an optical particle, or any combination
thereof.
A person skilled in the art may further understand that various
illustrative logical blocks and steps that are listed in the
embodiments of the present invention may be implemented by using
electronic hardware, computer software, or a combination thereof.
To clearly display the interchangeability between the hardware and
the software, functions of the foregoing various illustrative
components and steps have been generally described. Whether the
functions are implemented by using hardware or software depends on
particular applications and a design requirement of the entire
system. For each specific application, a person skilled in the art
may use various methods to implement the functions. However, this
implementation should not be understood to go beyond the protection
scope of the embodiments of the present invention.
The various illustrative logical blocks, units, and circuits
described in the embodiments of the present invention may implement
or operate the described functions by using a general processor, a
digital signal processor, an application-specific integrated
circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or another
programmable logical apparatus, a discrete gate or transistor
logic, a discrete hardware component, or a design of any
combination thereof. The general processor may be a microprocessor.
Optionally, the general processor may also be any conventional
processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. The
processor may also be implemented by a combination of computing
apparatuses, such as a digital signal processor and a
microprocessor, multiple microprocessors, one or more
microprocessors with a digital signal processor core, or any other
similar configuration.
Steps of the methods or algorithms described in the embodiments of
the present invention may be directly embedded into hardware, a
software unit executed by a processor, or a combination thereof.
The software unit may be stored in a RAM memory, a flash memory, a
ROM memory, an EPROM memory, an EEPROM memory, a register, a hard
disk, a removable magnetic disk, a CD-ROM, or a storage medium of
any other form in the art. For example, the storage medium may
connect to a processor so that the processor may read information
from the storage medium and write information to the storage
medium. Alternatively, the storage medium may further be integrated
into a processor. The processor and the storage medium may be
arranged in an ASIC, and the ASIC may be arranged in user
equipment. Alternatively, the processor and the storage medium may
also be arranged in different components of the user equipment.
In one or more examples of designs, the functions described in the
embodiments of the present invention may be implemented by using
hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof. If the
present invention is implemented by software, these functions may
be stored in a computer-readable medium or are transmitted to the
computer-readable medium in a form of one or more instructions or
code. The computer-readable medium is either a computer storage
medium or a communications medium that enables a computer program
to move from one place to another. The storage medium may be an
available medium that may be accessed by any general or special
computer. For example, such a computer-readable medium may include
but is not limited to a RAM, a ROM, an EEPROM, a CD-ROM, or another
optical disc storage, a disk storage or another magnetic storage
apparatus, or any other medium that may be used to bear or store
program code, where the program code is in a form of an instruction
or a data structure or in a form that can be read by a general or
special computer or a general or special processor. In addition,
any connection may be appropriately defined as a computer-readable
medium. For example, if software is transmitted from a website, a
server, or another remote resource by using a coaxial cable, an
optical fiber, a twisted pair, a digital subscriber line (DSL) or
in a wireless manner, such as infrared, radio, or microwave, the
software is included in a defined computer-readable medium. The
disc and the disk include a compressed disk, a laser disk, an
optical disc, a DVD, a floppy disk, and a Blu-ray disc. The disk
generally copies data by a magnetic means, and the disc generally
copies data optically by a laser means. The foregoing combination
may also be included in the computer-readable medium.
According to the foregoing description of this specification in the
present invention, technologies in the art may use or implement the
content of the present invention. Any modification based on the
disclosed content shall be considered obvious in the art. The basic
principles described in the present invention may be applied to
other variations without departing from the essence and scope of
the present invention. Therefore, the content disclosed in the
present invention is not limited to the described embodiments and
designs but may also be extended to a maximum scope that is
consistent with the principles and disclosed new features of the
present invention.
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